A Moose Jaw cyclist rides his bike with caution Tuesday afternoon. Moose Jaw Police Sergeant Cliff Froehlich advises all cyclists to be particularly cautious and wear the appropriate gear when riding bicycles within the city this year, citing problematic road conditions as a particular threat to cyclist safety.

"This year, I know, is going to be a pretty tough year, whether you're riding in a residential or the downtown area," said Sgt. Cliff Froehlich with the Moose Jaw Police Service. "The roads are just in such rough shape with the potholes, gravel and sand and everything else out there. Extra caution is going to be warranted."

Froehlich spoke to the Times-Herald about cyclist safety Tuesday, highlighting several key areas of which anyone riding a bicycle in the city ought to be mindful.

"We preach the same thing every year: there's the gear, the skills and the rules," he said.

In reminding people about their gear, the MJPS employs the acronym ABC, standing for air (making sure tires are pumped up properly), brakes (making sure the brakes are responsive and the gear shift works correctly), and chain (making sure the bike's chain and other mechanisms are in good working order).

It also emphasizes use of a helmet, with a particular focus on parents.

"Far too often, we see families out for a bike ride and the one or two kids along for the ride are wearing their helmets, but there's a parent leading the way with no helmet on," said Froehlich. "We want to encourage parents to be involved with bicycle safety and be a role model for their kids."

Bright or reflective clothing and knee and elbow pads are also advisable, as are lights for cyclists using their bikes at night.

However, "you can have all of the equipment and your bike can be in top-notch shape, but the most important thing of all is knowing and adhering to the rules of the road and to bike paths," said Froehlich.

Understanding to ride with the flow of traffic, keep to the right of the road, and knowing the proper signals to indicate turns to motorists are among the rules he said are important.

"If you're going to ride your bicycle like a donkey out there, weaving in and out of traffic and parked vehicles, you are going to put yourself at much greater risk than you would if you were to adhere to the rules of the road," said Froehlich.

A Moose Jaw cyclist rides his bike with caution Tuesday afternoon. Moose Jaw Police Sergeant Cliff Froehlich advises all cyclists to be particularly cautious and wear the appropriate gear when riding bicycles within the city this year, citing problematic road conditions as a particular threat to cyclist safety.